Scotiabank Expects Lower Earnings for West Fraser Timber

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Scotiabank dropped their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for West Fraser Timber in a research note issued on Monday, April 28th. Scotiabank analyst B. Isaacson now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $2.63 for the year, down from their previous estimate of $4.07. Scotiabank currently has a "Sector Outperform" rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for West Fraser Timber's current full-year earnings is $4.45 per share. Scotiabank also issued estimates for West Fraser Timber's FY2026 earnings at $6.73 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Raymond James lowered their target price on West Fraser Timber from $105.00 to $90.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. TD Securities cut their target price on West Fraser Timber from $99.00 to $98.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of West Fraser Timber from $117.00 to $99.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $100.40.

West Fraser Timber Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WFG traded down $0.68 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $73.56. 73,870 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 174,360. West Fraser Timber has a 52-week low of $69.48 and a 52-week high of $102.40. The firm has a market cap of $5.68 billion, a P/E ratio of -349.80 and a beta of 1.21. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $75.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $84.45.

West Fraser Timber (NYSE:WFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.61 by ($0.15). West Fraser Timber had a positive return on equity of 0.88% and a negative net margin of 0.08%. The firm had revenue of $1.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.53 billion.

West Fraser Timber Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.74%. West Fraser Timber's payout ratio is -752.94%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On West Fraser Timber

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its stake in West Fraser Timber by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 2,879 shares of the company's stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of West Fraser Timber by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,002 shares of the company's stock worth $260,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC increased its stake in shares of West Fraser Timber by 3.8% during the first quarter. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC now owns 4,065 shares of the company's stock worth $313,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of West Fraser Timber by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,806 shares of the company's stock valued at $216,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in West Fraser Timber by 22.5% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,078 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. 40.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

West Fraser Timber Company Profile

West Fraser Timber Co Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir, douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards.